Kei Nishikori has officially retired from professional tennis following his last match at the Japan Open on October 1, 2026. In an emotional farewell, the 36-year-old lost to Frances Tiafoe in straight sets, 6-4, 6-4. Nishikori, a former U.S. Open finalist and top-ranked player with a career-high ranking of No. 4, expressed mixed feelings about concluding his career on home soil.
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The match marked a significant moment in tennis as it was Nishikori's final appearance in front of his home crowd. Following his retirement announcement earlier in the year, the tennis community, including players like Rafael Nadal and Alexander Zverev, sent their well wishes. Nadal, who retired from the ATP Tour last year at age 38, shared a heartfelt message in honor of Nishikori's career. Nishikori's contributions to the sport have been appreciated by fans and fellow athletes alike, who celebrated his achievements during this transition.